Natural ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents

Researchers from Leiden University and colleagues from Delft have identified novel natural ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents (NADES).

NADES may be used for highly efficient extraction and storage of natural products from plants, such as pharmaceuticals and bio-actives, flavours, natural colorants, etc. Since NADES consist of simple, cheap, and naturally occurring compounds with a high safety profile, extracts may directly be used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetical and agrochemical applications.

Ionic liquids (IL) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) consist of two or more solid crystalline compounds that, when mixed together, form a liquid with unique properties. Currently, IL and DES consist of mostly toxic, bulky and asymmetric organic cations and are widely used as solvents for industrial processes such as organic synthesis and extractions.

Researchers from Leiden University and colleagues in Delft have developed a range of new NADES, that consist solely of natural compounds that are normally present in cells, such as certain sugars, simple organic acids and amino acids.

As a proof-of-principle, it was shown that NADES are excellent solvents for extraction of compounds from biological materials which are otherwise difficult to isolate. Examples include plant colorants and drugs, suggesting applicability in drug delivery and the discovery of novel bio-active plant compounds.

NADES can replace existing synthetic ILs and DES that contain toxic compounds and are thus difficult to dispose of. As the NADES constituents are naturally occurring and safe, very simple to make and cheap, many applications can be envisioned including drug delivery, and extraction of various compounds for use in food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

Key benefits

High solubility of natural products and low volatility

Safe to use, cheap to make

Extracts made with NADES are non-toxic and can be applied safely in e.g. (bio)pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements

Applications

Novel formulations for drug delivery, cosmetics and nutritionals

Extraction of new compounds from natural sources

Protein or biopharmaceutical stabilization

Chemical industry, ionic liquids, cellulose processing and more

Development stage

Proof-of-principle for a number of applications

Large numbers of combinations for NADES have been characterized

Extraction and solubility of flower colors, flavonoids and phenolic compounds have been tested